After struggling early offensively, the Wilkes Colonels scored 14 second half points to eventually take a 21-20 advantage, but No. 8 Muhlenberg scored back-to-back touchdowns to take a 34-21 win. 

The Colonels first possession saw Wilkes go three-and-out, going seven yards – all on the ground. The Mules took an early 7-0 lead on their opening drive, going five plays, 56 yards, capped off by a 14-yard pass from quarterback Eric Santagato to John DeLuca.

Santagato finished the game with 308 yards passing, completing 18-of-26 passes to go along with two touchdowns.

On Muhlenberg's second possession, Kevin Gerhart (Hummelstown, Pa./Lower Dauphin) forced a fumble on a carry by Codie Bender where Darnell Corbin (New Brunswick, N.J./New Brunswick) recovered at their own 46-yard line. The Colonels took advantage taking just two plays to reach the end zone, highlighted by a 40-yard run by Jamar Beverly (South Plainfield, N.J./Kent (Conn.)). Christopher Horn's extra point tied the game at seven with 5:56 to go in the first quarter. 

The Mules would answer on their next possession, going eight plays, 26 yards capped off with a 32-yard field goal by Michael Katz to give Muhlenberg a 10-7 advantage. After holding the Colonels to just four yards on the following possession, the Mule offense chewed up the clock once again to take a 17-7 advantage after going 13 plays, 87 yards in just over five minutes. They would go into the half with a 10-point advantage. 

In the second half, the Colonels were able to move the ball offensively, opening the third quarter with a nine-play, 60-yard scoring drive to pull within three. Wilkes quarterback Rob Johnson (Bridgewater, N.J./Bridgewater-Raritan) completed five passes on the drive, including a 19-yard touchdown strike to Jason Prushinski (Wapwallopen, Pa./Crestwood). 

Johnson was 14-of-33 for 127 yards and two touchdowns. Coming into the season, Johnson threw just 19 career passes.  

Muhlenberg took a 20-17 lead after Katz made his second field goal of the game, this time from 27 yards out with 2:49 to go in the third quarter. The Colonels answered with a 12-play drive that went down to Muhlenberg's 29 yard line, but a fourth and 15 screen pass to Gennaro Zangardi (Pittston Township, Pa./Pittston) fell a yard short as Wilkes turned the ball over on downs. 

The Colonel defense held the Mules to a three-and-out before the offense proceeded to drive 39 yards over nine plays in just over three minutes to take a 21-20 lead. Johnson found Prushinksi in the back of the endzone once again on a 19-yard strike with just over nine minutes to play.

The wide receiver would finish with seven catches for 77 yards and two touchdowns on the night. “To be leading the No. 8 team in the country with nine minutes to play really says a lot about our team,” Sheptock said. "We showed a lot of character to come back from 10 points down and eventually take the lead.” 

The Mules would take the lead for good on their next possession, driving 58 yards in nine plays capped off with a 32-yard touchdown pass from Santagato to Phil Cresta with 6:48 to go. They would eventually score again with 4:18 to go on a five-yard run by DeLuca. 

“I was pleased with our effort today. We made some mistakes, but we scratched and clawed our way back. I think it was a good learning experience for this young team,” Sheptock said.

The Colonels will remain on the road next weekend when they head to Montclair, N.J. to face Montclair State at 1 p.m.